For the seventh year in a row, the Eiteljorg Museum hosts 50 of the nation’s leading western artists at the Quest for the West invitational exhibition and sale. Opening weekend is September 7-9. Events for registered participants on Friday, September 7, include open houses at western art collectors’ homes. Saturday events begin with brunch and the announcement of the Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award at 10:30 a.m. After an afternoon program of demonstrations and discussions, a reception and intent-to-purchase period is from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the sale by draw from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. A banquet and awards ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m.

The exhibition opens to the public on September 9 and remains on display through October 7. Each artist shows up to four pieces. Last year’s Artist of Distinction award winner, sculptor Doug Hyde, also has a special retrospective exhibition as part of this year’s show. The exhibit features Hyde’s works in stone and bronze, including sculptures from private collections rarely seen by the public.

Sculptor Curt Mattson is thrilled to be returning for his sixth year in the show. Mattson has been sculpting for nearly 30 years and is known for his bronze portrayals of the buckaroo life. “I keep trying to come up with better designs and compelling stories,” he says. “I want viewers to get a feel for the nobility of these horses and the western lifestyle—to understand the relationship humans can have with animals and just how wonderful it is.”

Another returning artist is Krystii Melaine, an Australian painter currently exploring the lives of the people of the American West. One of Melaine’s pieces in the show, titled MANY ARROWS, is a portrait of a warrior holding a bundle of new arrow shafts. The painting is part of an ongoing series of Native American portraits, in which the artist’s aim is “to portray them as living individuals, with the feeling that you could sit down with them and listen to their stories.”

The Quest for the West show has quickly gained popularity among artists and collectors. Eiteljorg president and CEO John Vanausdall says the museum is “humbled by the success and honored by [its] relationships with these extraordinary artists.” —Lindsay Mitchell

Southwest Art Blog

Welcome to our annual collector’s issue. It’s become our tradition here at Southwest Art to focus each October not just on artists who are worth your attention, but also on more detailed information about buying—and living with—original art.

Featured Artists

The paintings of D. Eleinne Basa are characterized by a kinship with the outdoors along with a soulful endeavor to communicate the depth, complexities, and mystery inherent in the unadulterated landscape.